Compositions, Methods, and Systems For Producing Flocculent Materials for Special Effects

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and systems for the production of flocculent material. The composition of the invention contains at least one standard or non-standard amino acid, and optionally contains one or more sublimable or evaporable dyes. Flocculent material is made by heating the composition until a vapor is produced, and cooling the heated composition to produce a flocculent material. The system for producing flocculent material includes the composition, a heat source; and one or more walls surrounding the heat source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for producing flocculent material, the composition comprising at least one amino acid. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one amino acid is selected from the group consisting of alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, cysteine, methionine, serine, threonine, alpha-aminobutyric acid, beta-aminobutyric acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, norvaline, norleucine, homonorleucine, isovaline, or tert-leucine or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one amino acid is an L-enantiomer, D-enantiomer, or mixture of L- and D-enantiomers. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one amino acid comprises valine. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the valine comprises a racemic mixture of enantiomers. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising one or more dyes. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more dyes is a sublimable or evaporable dye. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more dyes is selected from the group consisting of C.I. Solvent Yellow 33, C.I. Solvent Violet 13, C.I. Solvent Orange 60, C.I. Solvent Red 111, C.I. Solvent Blue 36, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A method for producing flocculent material, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing the composition of  claim 1 ;   b. heating the composition until a vapor is produced; and   c. cooling the heated vapor to produce a flocculent material.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is heated between about 225° C. to 350° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition consists of at least one amino acid selected from the group comprising alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, proline, cysteine, methionine, serine, threonine, alpha-aminobutric acid, beta-aminobutyric acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, norvaline, norleucine, homonorleucine, isovaline, tert-leucine or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises valine. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition comprises isoleucine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more dyes. 
     
     
         15 . A system for producing flocculent material, the system comprising
 a. the composition of  claim 1 ; and   b. a heat source.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the heat source comprises a heating plate. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising one or more walls surrounding the heat source. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a stir plate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a fan. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a tube.